2011 Buick Regal

Mid-sized sport sedan rolls out on three continents

By Nina Russin

2011 Buick Regal

General Motors’ restructuring transformed Buick from a premium to a core brand. Product planners are reconfiguring the model line-up to appeal to a broader audience.

The former Buick Regal was an American design for American drivers. The 2011 model, based on the Opel Insignia, was developed in Germany for buyers in North America, Europe and China.

Both available engines are fuel-efficient four-cylinder blocks. Base models come with a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter engine rated at 182 horsepower. The upscale 2-liter turbocharged engine develops 220 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque, for enhanced low-end acceleration.

For the first time in decades, Buick is offering a six-speed manual gearbox on turbo-equipped cars. An interactive drive control system lets the driver adjust the suspension settings for a firmer or softer ride.

By giving the new Regal a distinctly European character, Buick hopes to appeal to younger driving enthusiasts, who will cross shop Asian and European luxury models such as the Acura TL and Volvo S60.

Buick’s ace-in-the-hole is value pricing. Both the base and turbocharged grades start at under $30,000, including destination and delivery.

All cars come with a high level of standard safety features: four-channel antilock braking, stability and traction control, six standard airbags and OnStar, which automatically notifies the police and medical personnel if the airbags deploy. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Porsche Boxster

PDK transmission gives Porsche’s roadster extra boost

By Nina Russin

2009 Porsche Boxster

The Porsche Boxster parked in our driveway conjures up images of James Dean as photographed by Sanford Roth, at the wheel of his Porsche 550 Spyder: the one he called the “Little Bastard.” The famous actor undoubtedly knew of the car’s reputation in Europe, where it had just come off winning performances at LeMans.

The name, Boxster, refers to Porsche’s horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine: its configuration resembles a boxer. The original Boxster, released in the late 1990s,was the first Porsche since the Spyder designed specifically as a roadster. It was also Porsche’s most affordable sports car: the Boxster drew legions of fans who couldn’t afford the pricier 911, into the showroom.

Porsche introduced the second-generation Boxster in 2008 for the ’09 model year. The new car remains true to its original mission: powered by a 255-horsepower flat six-cylinder engine. The engine’s midship placement gives the pint-sized roadster a surprising amount of cargo space: with storage areas to the front and rear of the passenger compartment. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Dodge Challenger SE

Sports coupe with retro styling and a fuel-efficient V-6

By Nina Russin

2010 Dodge Challenger

Back in the day, there was no sheetmetal greater than that born in Detroit. The 2010 Dodge Challenger pays homage to the classic Mopar with retro styling, and the high-performance R/T and SRT8 models.

The SE is a more affordable version for buyers who don’t want the hemi V-8 engines. Priced from $22,735, the Challenger SE gets power from a 3.5-liter V-6, and five-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection. Average fuel economy is 20 miles-per-gallon, according to EPA estimates.

A Rallye package adds dual hood and rear decklid stripes, a chrome fuel filler cap, eighteen-inch wheels and a rear spoiler.

Other options on the test car include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, audio upgrade, satellite radio, power sunroof, navigation and Bluetooth interface, bringing the total price to $31,175. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Hyundai Tucson GLS

Five-passenger crossover combines value with substance

By Nina Russin

2010 Hyundai Tucson

Two decades ago, nobody could have guessed that the Korean automakers would one day set the bar for quality and value in the US market. But that’s exactly what has happened. One need look no further than the 2010 Hyundai Tucson to discover why.

A sub-$20,000 base sticker price for the GLS grade qualifies for our urban (formerly super-value) category. Yet the Tucson doesn’t look or perform like a cheap car. Hyundai’s five-passenger crossover vehicle is the first model designed at the automaker’s Frankfurt studio. Its long hood, aerodynamic roof and strong beltline give the Tucson visual affinity to a passenger car: ride and handling are similar as well.

A standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission deliver ample power for urban commuters, with 31 mile-per-gallon highway fuel economy. Buyers in four-season climates can opt for available all-wheel drive over the standard front-wheel drive platform.

Engineers used high-strength steel to enhance the car’s torsional rigidity while reducing overall weight. Despite being larger than the outgoing model, the new Tucson is 61 pounds lighter.

In addition to weight savings throughout the body, engineers shaved weight under the hood by replacing the six-cylinder engine on the former model with a four-cylinder engine on the new car, using a lighter transmission, and replacing the former hydraulic steering system with a lighter, more compact electric one.

The GLS model tested is one of two available grades. The upscale Limited grade adds additional comfort and convenience features. Base price for the GLS is $19,995, not including the $795 delivery charge.

The test car comes with two options: carpeted floor mats ($100), and an equipment package that includes 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth interface, rear privacy glass, redundant steering wheel controls, and roof rails ($1700). Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Lexus IS 250C

Convertible hard top is the third member of the IS family

By Nina Russin

2010 Lexus IS C

Lexus introduced the original IS series for young driving enthusiasts moving up from Toyota. The current models appeal to a wider audience, with more upscale styling and a choice of two direct injection V-6 engines.

Last year, Lexus diversified the IS family by adding the high-performance IS F and the IS C: a two-door convertible hard top with seating for four passengers. The open-air IS is Lexus’ second convertible, following on the heels of the high-luxury SC430.

A sub $40,000 base price makes the IS C considerably more affordable. Both the 2.5 and 3.5-liter V-6 engines provide spirited performance. The larger V-6 rated at 306 horsepower delivers sub-six second zero-to-sixty acceleration. The 2.5-liter engine averages 29 miles-per-gallon on the highway, while propelling the IS C from zero-to-sixty miles-per-hour in under 8 seconds.

The IS 350C comes with a six-speed automatic transmission: formula-style shift paddles on the steering wheel  give the driver additional control on challenging roads. The IS 250C is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or the six-speed automatic transmission.

An all-aluminum hard top deploys at the touch of a button. The air conditioning system automatically adjusts temperature and air flow out of the vents when the top is down to keep passengers comfortable. Read the rest of this entry »